Should it get into office, in its first 100 days, the APNU+AFC alliance will reduce the Berbice Bridge toll and increase salaries for government workers including nurses and teachers as well as examine the reduction of the President’s pension, according to the coalition’s Manifesto released yesterday.
In its ‘Action Programme for the first 100 days,’ the alliance says that it will reduce the Berbice bridge toll and well as significantly increase the salaries of government workers including nurses, teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary education; security personnel; and civil servants on the traditional payroll. It also commits to “significant increases in old age pensions” and says that reduction of the president’s pension and other benefits will be recommended and referred to a Special Select Committee of the National Assembly for determination.
Further, the manifesto says that the coalition will immediately implement a phased reduction of VAT and the removal of VAT from food and other essential items and waive duties on fuel, tools and small scale mining equipment bought by identifiable holders of small concessions.
The alliance also, in the first 100 days, commits to setting a date for the early holding of Local Government Elections, establishment of the Public Procurement Commission, establishment of a National Cane Workers and Cane Farmers Conference, establishment of a National Rice Farmers and Rice Millers Conference, establishment of an Investigative Commission on Corruption, establishment of Task Forces: on Crime & Security and on Road Safety and establishment of passport and birth certificates licensing offices in Berbice Essequibo and Linden.
The manifesto says that APNU+AFC will also liberalise the Telecommunications and ICT sectors in its first 100 days and also adopt a long-term sustainable economic development plan to realize the vast potential of Guyana. The coalition also commits to the implementation of an amended Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act.
Meantime, also on the programme for the alliance’s first 100 days is the return of the long-awaited television station to Lindeners and the manifesto also says that a Code of Conduct will be established for Parliamentarians, Minis-ters and others holding high positions in government public office to abide by, including mechanisms for demitting office if in violation of the Code of Conduct.
Further, the coalition says that a National Conference of Women will be held and a bi-partisan Women’s Working Group established as part of the Healing the Nation & National Unity thrust of the APNU+AFC. The Gender Policy will be collectively drafted by women from across Guyana as an output from the Conference.
The grouping also says that the National Youth Council will be convened and its mandate, terms of reference and programme of action produced for endorsement at a National Youth Conference while an Indigenous Peoples Rights & Resources Conference will be held and the National Toshaos Council re-assessed and depoliticised.
